PROGESTERONE

Clinical Significance

Progesterone, Immunoassay - Levels increase sharply during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The level increases from 9 to 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum

Minimum Volume
0.5 mL

Collection Instructions
DHEA supplementation causes a false elevation of values in this standard Immunoassay method for progesterone. Physicians using progesterone levels as a criterion for triggering ovulation in an IVF cycle in patients supplemented with DHEA should assess progesterone levels using a LC/MS/MS progesterone assay, such as order code 17183 performed at Quest Diagnostics, San Juan Capistrano.
Note: Do not add on progesterone testing to a barrier gel specimen older than 72 hours.

Transport Container
Serum Separator Tube (SST®)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Do not add on Progesterone testing to a barrier gel specimen older than 72 hours
Setup Schedule, Reject Criteria

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)

Reference Range(s)
Male    <1.4 ng/mL
Female     
  Follicular Phase    <1.0 ng/mL
  Luteal Phase    2.6-21.5 ng/mL
  Postmenopausal    <0.5 ng/mL
Pregnancy     
  First Trimester    4.1-34.0 ng/mL
  Second Trimester    24.0-76.0 ng/mL
  Third Trimester    52.0-302.0 ng/mLChildren (<18 years old): Progesterone reference ranges established on post-pubertal patient population. Reference range not established for pre-pubertal patients using this assay. For pre-pubertal patients, the Nichols progesterone, LC/MS/MS assay is recommended (test code 17183).